Windshield on 2003 Honda Element developed a crack (without any impact) which originated from lower edge (below wiper, drivers side) and within 24 hours had spread across the entire width of the windshield.

- Evanston, IL, USA

The contact states there is a crack in the windshield. The crack came up from the bottom of the window bead. It first began as a tiny crack and is now about two and half feet long. The dealership and the manufacturer explained to him there were no other related problems with this vehicle. Updated 12/7/2005. In late November the consumer found a Honda service bulletin referencing a windshield defect. Although the consumer's vehicle falls with the range of vins the dealer refused to replace the windshield.

- Rio Grande, NJ, USA

My 2003 Honda Element developed a crack below the driver side wiper that goes up three inches then does a 90 degree right turn then travels approxiamately two feet horizontally then does another 90 degree turn down into window bead. There is a very very slight "dink" in the windshield along the crack but your fingernail barely catches in it. I believe as do many other 2003 Element owners that there is undue stress on the corners of the windshield and this is what caused the damage. I believe this is a design flkaw that should be covered by Honda.

- Rio Grande, NJ, USA

Cracked windshield - passenger side - low area.

- Trenton, NJ, USA

Consumer had windshield replaced on four occasions, because it made a howling noise. The company that replaced the windshield blamed the manufacturer for not fixing a bad weld. The manufacturer claimed the consumers model was prone to breakage because of the vertical position when struck by even the slightest impact within the black area on the outside edge of the glass, however the consumer disagreed with that theory, stating there had been other vehicle down through the years that had this type of windshield positioning without excessive windshield breakage.

- Hackettstown, NJ, USA

Cracked windshield on Honda Element, it started last summer at edge of windshield and has progressively gone straight across the windshield to point where it now needs to be replaced. There is a recall but because my VIN # does not match the recall Honda will not necessarily cover. The dealership is charging $85 just check to see if they will cover. There are numerous complaints of Honda Element windshields cracking. I have lived in ak for over 20 years and have never had to replace a windshield before.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

The windshield on my 2003 Honda Element cracked in the center rising up from the bottom edge. The crash is 18" long approx. The dealer said it was from a rock and not covered. The "rock" chip is barely visible. It's more like a tiny pit from a piece of sand. I believe the Element has a design flaw which causes cracks from the flexing of the frame or cheap glass.

- Sierra Madre, CA, USA

The windshield has 3 cracks, one was on he first day of owning the vehicle. Got it on Sunday and huge crack was down the middle. There was crack on the passenger's side that started about 8 months ago. Have not contacted the dealer. There is another crack eye level on the driver's side. This started on December 22, 2005.

- Euclid, OH, USA

I was driving out of the seatac airport, I had heard my dash creaking on and off for a while and just figured it was one of those things, however this time after the creak I noticed a very small hairline crack the crack came on the drivers side lower part of w/shield starting by the cowl vent panel and the crack went to the lt. After the crack appeared the creaking stopped for a while, now it has started again. I could not afford a new windshield, and after reading all the complaints -www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?T=4189&page=5&pp=10 Honda Element owners club > Honda Element > *problems & issues reload this page windshield issues- I was not expecting much help from the dealer. I will call theealer today and request a replacement windshield and take copies of yopur reports.

- University Place, WA, USA

After only 10,000 miles of normal use, my windshield has accumulated 2 or 3 dings and one crack that is now 2 feet long. I use the car for normal travel within seattle, and on wa highways and expressways. The cracks have all occurred while travelling on the expressway. I believe this to be the result of a flaw, because my previous car was used in the same manner, in the same area, (seattle wa) for 130,000 miles, and only had one or two dings and no cracks. I suspect that it is a result of the window being angled too perpendicular to the travel of rocks and gravel thrown up by other vehicles, or defective glass.

- Seattle, WA, USA

Consumer says that he has a cracked windshield on his vehicle. Consumer says that there is a class action suit going on for this same reason. Consumer found suit on internet. Consumer says that windshield cracked by itself. Consumer took vehicle to dealer and dealer told consumer that a pebble or rock hit window and caused crack. Consumer says that place dealer pointed out on window was the size of a pin head. Consumer believes that windshield was not struck by anything. Consumer has no ideal what caused the crack. Consumer is the only person to drive vehicle and he is not aware of anything ever striking window. Consumer first noticed crack after arriving at work, going into office, and a coworker who had road to work with consumer, told consumer about noticing the crack. This was morning July 9, 2005. Office is located in verona, New Jersey. Consumer has looked on internet to find that there are many complaints regarding cracked windshields of same make and model vehicle. Consumer is not aware of where the windshield crack may have happened.

- Belleville, NJ, USA

Consumer stated that her vehicle's windshield cracked from the bottom and the crack moved up about one foot. The consumer indicated that there did not appear to be a starting point to the crack. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who said that they found a ding that consumer says is about as big as the head of a pin. Dealer says this is where something struck vehicle. The consumer is confident that nothing struck window, window cracked under stress from vehicle. Consumer says that she believes that windshield cracked while vehicle was in her garage. Consumer said she did not notice crack until she got vehicle out of garage in the morning. Consumer also states that another vehicle that is in her work parking lot, is the same vehicle but different color, this vehicle has same crack. Consumer says that the crack is very close. It also starts in the same place in the bottom of window. Consumer says that she takes care of vehicle, vehicle only has 12,000 miles, consumer drives 3 miles to work, consumer mostly drives on local roads, does not travel on highways much.

- Seatle, WA, USA

Windshield cracked from beneath passenger wiper blade up approximately 6 inches and then turns toward driver's side.

- Boonton, NJ, USA

For the second time my windshield has cracked on my 2003 Honda Element. The cracks are considered stress fractures caused by a manufacturing defect.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

I bought a 2003 Honda Element ex September 2004, have about 30K on it, no problems until I came out to the parking lot and found the windshield cracked (the now classic design, lower passenger side, no impact mark, spreading from black area, right now about ten inches long and moving straight across the middle of the windshield. I am having cascade auto glass come this morning to replace it since the crack is growing and I do not feel safe driving my car.

- Holly Springs, NC, USA

Honda Element -- crack in windshield. Started at bottom passenger side of windshield. There was a small pin size hole at the base of the crack - almost below the edge of the hood. The crack went up about 7 inches and then started spreading across the windshield. This was definitely not from a rock chip. It took 2 full days of "negotiating" with american Honda to get them to cover the defective windshield under warranty.

- Inver Grove Heights, MN, USA

2003, Honda Element, the windshield cracked out of the blue. Nothing struck the glass, no accident. While driving, heard popping noise and a 5-6 round circle crack appeared on the front windshield. Took vehicle to a dealer, and they had never seen anything like it. No repairs have been made.

- Raceland, LA, USA

An object hit the windshield and was too small to see. The object nicked the windshield and cracks formed. The windshield was replaced once already, and was being replaced again the day the consumer sent this letter.

- Hackettstown, NJ, USA

Windshield cracked in two spot on driver side during high winds. Had a glass repair shop fix the cracks, but one has continued to spread across the windshield. Design/angle of windshield is at issue as the windshield has 4 "star" fractures as well as the cracks in the 16 months we have owned this vehicle.

- Denver, CO, USA

Windshield stress crack with no evidence of impact located on lowers driver's side. Went out to the car one morning and the crack was had appeared over night. Started about three inches long and has since branched off and extended to over 12 inches.

- Dekalb, IL, USA